Marty Raney

Homestead Builder, Master Stone Mason, Hunter & Mountain Guide

Marty Raney's adventures began in 1974 in the logging camps of Southeast Alaska. His very first home in Alaska was not only off grid, it was off land: a floating logging camp on Prince of Wales Island. After marrying Mollee Roestel, the Raney's moved to an extremely remote homestead in Haines, Alaska, surrounded by a very high concentration of Alaskan brown bears.

Alaskan life is not always easy. The family often lived without power, water, plumbing, or heat. Some would call this "roughing it," but make not mistake about it, it builds character. Living without modern conveniences inspires creativity, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and an innate appreciation for all things simple. It bonds families. Subsistence, living off the land, is an integral part of the Raney's lifestyle. Dip netting salmon, and annual moose, caribou, and sheep hunts, are done as a family.

The children grew up in the family business: Alaska Stone and Log. Stone work, log work, and natural building materials from the land. They peeled logs, they quarried stone, they learned the value of hard work, and they learned old world craftsmanship.

The Raney's live an artisan lifestyle building beautiful cabins, homes, and structures with the simplest of tools, which is the essence of the homesteading and off grid construction. They have left a legacy of craftsmanship across Alaska.